Fluid mixing device



Jan. 2, 1934. L. L. DAvlEs Er AL FLUID MIXING DEVICE 2r S'h'eetss-Sheeafl l Filed March 28. v1952 Jan. 2, 1934. L. pAvlEs Er Al. 1,942,269

FLUID MIXING DEVICE Filed March 28. 1932 2 sneetssheet 2 [Ill:-

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Patented Jan. 2, 1934= NT oFElcE 1,942,269 nvm MIXING DEVICE Lloyd L. Davies, Jules V. Resek, and William W. Carson, Jr., Knoxville, Tenn., assignors to The Fulton Sylphon Company, Knoxville, Tenn., a corporation oi' Delaware applicati@ mmh 2s, 1932. serial No. 601,624

. 12 claims. (c1. 23e-12) This invention relates to the art of iiuid mixing, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for mixing two or more uids of different temperatures so as to produce a mixture of said uids having a substantially constant predetermined temperature.

In devices of this general character, as for example water mixers wherein cold water is mixed with and heated by hot water, steam or the like, diiliculty has hitherto been encountered in pro'- ducing a mixture the temperature oi' which will remain substantially constant irrespective of changes in the temperatures, pressures and rates of iiow of the fluids being mixed. Such mixers as are already knownr perform fairly satisfactorily as long. as there are no substantial changes in the pressures and rates of flow of the various fluids supplied to the mixing device, but trouble is often experienced when such changes do occur because of the hunting action of the valves which permits' alternate slugs of hot and cold iiuids to pass through the mixer. Various methods have been suggested for remedying these defects, such as regulating beth hot and cold iluid inlet valves from a single thermostat, using a small vfixed orice for one of the inlets and obtaining regulation by a valve in the other inlet, and using a pressure equalizer to maintain thev pressures of the uids supplied equal, but none of these remedies is adequate to produce the desired results under all of the various conditions encountered during practical operation.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a novel and efficient method and apparatus for mixing a plurality of fluids so as to produce a mixture the temperature of which is accurately maintained, within narrow at a predetermined standard regardless of the differences and changes in the temperatures, pressures and rates of iiow of the fluids being mixed.

Another object` is to provide a new and im proved method and apparatus for mixing a hot and a cold uid so as to produce a fluid mixture of substantially constant temperature' which utilize a separateinlet `valve 'for each fluid -but only a single thermostat, one valve being controlled directly by the thermostat andthe other by the diierential in mesur between the iluid controlled by the thermostat and the fluid mixture.

A further object is to provide a new and dependable method and apparatus for mixing a plurality of fluids so as to result in a uid mixture of substantially constant under `allpractical operating conditions, wherein the` supply of the fluids to -be mixed is controlled basically by the temperature of the mixture but which also include an automatic compensation of said basic` control for variations in the inlet pressures and rates of iiow of said fluids.

Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus for mixing a hot and a cold iiuid so as to produce a iluid mixture the temperature of which will be maintained substantially constant at a predetermined standard, wherein the supply of one of said fluids is thermostatically controlled by the temperature of the mixture, while the supply of the other fluid is directly responsive either to changes in the pressure of the :duid mixture, or to variations in the supply pressures oi the hot and cold uids themselves.

A still further object is to provide a iluid mixing device of novel construction wherein a plurality of fluids are conducted through a portion of said device in parallel streams without mixing 4 and are then thoroughly mixed by reversing the iiow of a portion oi said iluids so as to produce a great turbulence.

Another object is to provide in a iiuid mixing device of the type embodying a thermostatically controlled valve for governing the supply of fluid thereto, a thermostat of novel construction which quickly and positively initiates movement of vsaid valve upon a change in the temperature of the surrounding medium and also controls continued movement of the valve in such a manner as to overcome its tendency to hunt,

Another object is to provide a fluid mixing device of the character described which is simple and ruggedin structure and has a minimum of moving parts, is economical to manufacture and maintain, and is efficient and reliable for the purpose intended. I

These and other objects will appear more fully from a consideration of the detailed description of the invention which follows. two embodiments of the present invention are de scribed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be expressly understood that these drawingsareforthepurpose ofillustrationonly and are not to be construed as a deiinition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for.

this purpose to the appended claims.

In the wherein like reference char acters indicate like parts throughout the severalviews:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, with certain parts broken away, of a iluid mixing device the method of operation and the construction of which Although only loc constitute one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 isa side elevation in section of one of the fluid supply valves and its presure responsive op- 4 kdevice embodying the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, with certain parts shown in full; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown therein a fluid mixing device to which are supplied a hot and a cold fluid and within which said uids are so mixed as to produce a fluid mixture the temperature of which is maintained, within narrow limits, substantially constant at a predetermined standard regardless of the initial temperatures and pressures, and the rate of flow of the mixed fluid. Although each iluid supply line is provided with its individual valve, regulation of the supply of both fluids is controlled basically by a single thermostat which is adapted to actuate the valve in one of the supply lines, the other valve being controlled by the differential in pressure between the fluid in the line con-A trolled by the thermostatically operated valve and the iluid'mixture within the mixing device. Suit` able means are also provided for always maintaining this differential equal to or greater than a predetermined minimum value in favor of the pressure of the fluid in the thermostatically controlled supply line, thereby making possible automatic compensation of the basic control for variations in the pressures and rates of 'ow of the hot and cold fluids.

The specific form of apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, as exemplary of the present invention, comprises a water mixer of the type wherein cold water and a hot fluid, such as hot water or steam, are supplied to a mixing chamber wherein they are thoroughly mixed and the cold water is heated, the resulting mixture being maintained at a substantially constant'temperature, the latter being determined by the use to which the mixture is put. As shown, the hot fluid is supplied from any suitable source through a pipe or conduit 6, and passes through a strainer 7, valve 8 and into the inner central tube 9 of a mixing nozzle 10 which is located within and adapted to discharge the mixture of hot and cold fluids into a substantially cylindrical mixing chamber 1l. At the same time, cold water is supplied through a pipe or conduit 12 from any suitable source, and passes through a strainer 13, a valve 14 and into a branch pipe 15 of the mixing nozzle assembly, whence. it

t mixing of the not and cold nuidsshouid take place in the mixing nozzle before the fluids pass into the large mixing chamber '1l'. andy to this end mixing nozzle 10 is constructed in a novel manner so as to create great turbulence in the fluids supplied thereto just before they pass into mixing chamber 11. In the form shown, the mixing nozzle assembly is substantially Y-shaped,

the two arms of the Y being provided with suitable 'flanges or other couplings for connection to the outlets from valves 8 and 14, and with suitable means, such as a ilange 18, for securing the assembly to mixing chamber 11 adjacent the bottom thereof. Central tube 9, through which the hot fluid is supplied, is substantially coaxial with the cylindrical interior of mixing nozzle 10, and

branch pipe 15 is connected adjacent the outer end of the mixing nozzle assembly in such a manner that the flow of the cold iluid supplied therethrough surrounds central tube 9 and becomes substantially coaxial therewith and with the interior of mixing nozzle 10. Since central tube 9 extends inwardly a substantial distance beyond the inlet from branch pipe 15, it is evident that, for a portion of the length of mixing nozzle 10, the hot and cold fluids ilow in parallel streams but are prevented from mixing by the wall of central tube 9.

In order to increase the eiiiciency of the mixing within the portion of mixing nozzle 10 where the hot and cold fluids are in direct contact with one another, it is desirable that a substantial portion of the flowing fluids have its direction of flow z.

abruptly reversed before leaving the mixing nozzle so as to produce great turbulence and a rapid and thorough mixing. To this end, the outlet openings 19 from the interior of mixing nozzle 10 in to mixing chamber 11 are located about the t periphery of said nozzle and intermediate the inner end of central tube 9 and the closed inner end wall .20 of the nozzle. With this construc- -tion, the major portion of the fluids supplied to mixing nozzle 10 through pipe 15 and central tube 9 ows axially the length of the nozzle and upon abutting end .wall 20 has its direction of flow suddenly reversed thus causing extreme agitation of the fluids within the mixing nozzle adiacent the outlet orifices 19, and thereby effecting an intimate mixture of the hot and cold. fluids before delivery into mixing chamber 11 vwhere the mixing process is completed so as to result in a mixture of uniform temperature throughout.

The supply of both the hot andcold fluids to mixing nozzle 10 is controlled basically by a single thermostat, exposed to the temperature of the fluid mixture within chamber l1, which is suitably connected in a known manner so as to control the movements of valve 8 of the hot uid supply line. As shown, a thermostat bulb 21. lpartially filled with a liquid having a low boiling point, is suitably supported, asvby a gland 22 threaded intothe wall of mixing chamber 11, at a point within the mixing chamber intermediate mixing nozzle 10 and outlet conduit 16, the interior of bulb 2l being connected through a tube 23 having flexible portions 24, if desired, to the interior of a suitable expansible and contractible member housed within a casing 25 which is supported by a framework 26, the latter in turn being mounted on top of the casing of valve 8. A movable wall of the expansible and contractible member housed in casing 25 is secured to the valve stem 27 .of valve 8. When the low boiling point liquid within bulb 2l is vaporized Aby an increase in temperature of the surrounding fluid mixture within mixing chamber l1, the vapor enters the open end of tube 23, passes intothe expansible and contractible member, and by expansion of 1 the latter against the force of a suitable spring 28 moves valve stem 27 so as to close Valve 8. Upon a decrease in the vapor pressure, due to a lowering of the temperature of the fluid mixture in mixing chamber 11, the expansible and stem 27 is freely slidable. Since this type 0f valve operating mechanism is old and well known in the art, it is unnecessary to describe it in further detail, and it will be understood that any other equivalent mechanism may be substituted for the specific form shown.

Itwill benotedinFig. 1 that the end oftube 23 within bulb 21 is curved upwardly so that its open end is located above the level of the liquid within the bulb. In thermostatically operated valve devices of this character previously ern-` ployed, the open end of the tube has been placed below the level of the liquid in the bulb so that a change in temperature forces the liquid itself into, or withdraws it from, the tube and the interior of the expansible and contractible member, this resulting in the valve being opened or closed very -rapidly. and, because of its high sensitivity, rendering the valve subject to a hunting form of operation. By locating the open end of tube 23, in accordance with the present invention, above the level of the liquid in bulb 21, only vapor enters said tube and the expansible and contractible member, the result being that although the initial movement of the valve occurs just as positively and quicklyv as in the devices hitherto known, the continued movement of the valve to its open or closed position takes p ly, thus overcoming the tendency o hunt. In order to insure that the thermostat is properly installed within mixing chamber 11 with the open indicate the position ci the end of said tube withr insaid bulb. Y

With this construction, it is evident that the -movements of valve 8, which controls theisupply of hot iluid to mixing nozzle 10 and chamber 11, will vary in proportion to changes in the temperature of the fluid mixture Asurrounding bulb 2l of the thermostat. However, in order that the temperature of the fluid mixture within said chamber may be maintained substantially constant, within nari-ow limits, the supply of cold uid to mixing nome 10 must also be controlled so as to result in this desired mixture temperature. Novel means have therefore been provided for controlling valve 14 in the cold iluid supply line without the necessity for another thermostatic element.V

As shown in Fig. 2, the inlet passageway 31 to the interior of the casing of valve 14 `is elbowshaped so as to direct the incoming cold fluid downwardly against valve disc32 which is supported in a disc holder 33 in position to valve the outlet end o! passageway 31. Disc holder 33 has a downwardly depending flange 34 which is adapted to slidably engage the upper end oi a substantially cylindrical cap member 35 threaded into the bottom of the casing of valve 14. .A suitable spring 36 rests on the bottom cir cap member 35 and exerts an upward thrust against the bottom-of disc holder 33 so as to urge valve disc 32 toward the lower end of inlet passageway 31 and close the valve. The movable valve assembly,

however, is also rigidly connected to a flexible e more slow- A diaphragm 37, which may be made of rubber or other suitable flexible material, said dia-` p agm in turn being secured in place across the open top of the casing of valve 14 by a suitable cover plate or cap 38 which forms a pressure chamber 39 on top of diaphragm 37. Diaphragm 37 is provided with a central opening therein through which projects theY upper threaded end 40 of a yoke 41 -which passes around the lwall of elbow-shaped inlet passage 3l and is provided at its lower end with an internally threaded annular portion 42 into which the upper end of 'disc holder 33 is threaded. Valve disc 32 is thus clamped between annular prtion 42 of yoke 41 and disc holder 33. Suitable diaphragm washers 43 may be provided above and below diaphragm 37 surrounding the threaded projection 40 of yoke 41, and a suitable nut 44 is threaded on said projection to complete the assembly.

, With this construction, it is evident that the position of valve disc 32 with respect to the lower or outlet end of inlet passageway 31 is governed by the position of diaphragm 37, which in turn depends upon the diierence between, on the one hand. the pressure in chamber 139 on the upper side of said diaphragm plus the fluid pressure on valve disc 32, and, on the other hand, the fluid pressure on the under side of said diaphragm plus the fluid pressure exerted on the lower side4 of disc holder 33 and the upward force exerted by, spring 36. y

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, pressure chamber 39 above diaphragm 37 is connected by a suitable tube or conduit l45 with the outlet side of strainer 7 in the hot iiuid line, and is hence subject to the pressure of the hot fluid on the supply side of valve 8, a pressure which is somewhat higher than that on the discharge side of the hot iiuid valve and in mixing chamber l1. The pressure on the under side of diaphragm 37 is that of the cold fluid within the casing of valve 14 on the discharge side thereof, which pressure, neglecting the loss in pipe 15 to which the outlet from valve 14 is connected, is substantially the same as that of the mixture within mixing nozzle 10 and mixing chamber 11. Therefore, sincespring 36 exerts a substantially. constant upward force, and since the difference between the downward force holder 33 is comparatively small, the position of valve dise 32 of valve 14 may be said to be de@ pendent upon the differential of pressure between the fluid on the top of diaphragm 37 and that below diaphragm 37; that is, the diiierence between the pressure of the hot fluid on the supply side of thermostatically operated valve 8 and the pressure of the fluid mixture within mixing chamber ll. It is preferable that the force exerted by spring 36 be so adjusted, as by threading cap'35 into or out of the valve casing, that this diil'erential may never decrease below a predetermined amount, approximately three pounds in a water mixer of the type illustrated, although it will be understood thatv this differential may increase above this predetermined .minimum under various conditions of pressure in the hot and cold uid supply lines. a Itis also preferable to so proportion the areas of diaphragm 37 and valve disc 32 relative to each other and to the strength of spring36 that, in the event of a failure of the hot fluid supply, valve disc 32 will be forced to its seat by' spring 36 with sufficient power toentirely shutoff the cold iluid 'lhe manner or operation of the mixing device just described, which `is exemplary of the novel method provided by the present invention, may be summarized as follows: Assuming that both. hot and cold fluids are being supplied to mixing nozzle 10 and thence to mixing chamber 1l in the proper proportions to maintain the mixture at the desired predetermined temperature, and -that the mixture is being withdrawn from mixing chamber 11 through conduit 16, valve 17 being open, anyslight change in the temperature of the mixture due to a change in the temperature. .pressure or rate of iow of either of the uids being supplied, promptly aiects the thermostat so as to slightly open or close the hot iluid valve 8.

Assumingv that thepchange in temperature of the mixture is a slight increase, the effect of the thermostat is to slightly close valve 8 so as to decrease the amount of hot fluid entering mixing nozzle ,10, which closing of the valve simultaneously slightly decreases the pressure of the mixture. The eilect of this pressure change is to increase the differential of pressure in favor .of the pressure exerted on the top of diaphragm 37 so as to move yoke 4l downwardly, carrying with it valve disc 32,'and thereby further open the cold iiuid valve so that more cold fluid may flow tothe mixing .chamber to bring the temperature oi' the mixture back down to the predetermined standard. On the other hand, assuming that the change in temperature of the mixture is a slight decrease below the standard, the thermostat operates to further open the hot uid valve 8, which opening of the valve simultaneously increases the pressure of the uid mixture.- The differential of pressure affecting diaphragm 37 is accordingly decreased and valve disc 32 is moved closer to the lower end of cold iluid inlet 31, thereby decreasing the amount of cold fluid supplied to the mixing chamber, which in turn permits the temperature of the mixture toincrease again to the standard.

v The construction just described also permits automatic compensation of the basic control ailorded by the thermostat, whenever the supply pressures or rates ofl ow of the hot -and cold fluids vary. For example, assuming that the supply pressure inythe hot iluid line increases,

which would in turn tencl to increase the amount of hot fluid supplied to the mixing chamber in proportion to the cold iiuid, this increase in pressure is instantaneously transmitted to pressure chamber 39 on top of diaphragm 37 with the result that the cold iluid valve is lopened slightly so as to admit a greater quantity of cold iluid to the mixing chamber to balance the increased supply of hot fluid.l 1f, on the other hand, theV cold `fluid supply pressure should increase, the pressure exerted on the under side of diaphragm 37 vwould also ,instantaneously increase, thereby decreasing thev dinerential oi' pressure thereon and slightlyl closingthe cold iluid valve to compensate for the increase in pressure so as to maintain the amount of coldfluid supplied substantially constant. Any other variation which may occur in the, temperatures, pressures and rates of flow .of ythe iluids will be accompanied by -a similar compensation which is eil'ective to maintain the temperature ol' the fluid mixture substantially constant.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5. there is disclosed therein another form of water mixing device yconstituting another embodimentoi' the V``p`reset`invention. Although the physical structure ofV this embodiment diers somewhat from that of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, the- 'ture 48 within the upper portion of mixing chamvunbalanced area of valve 50.

principles and method of operation are the same. As shown, the mixing chamber 46 is provided by a substantially cylindrical casing 47 open at one end (the right end as viewed in `Eig. 4), which opening is adapted to be closed by a combined iluid supply conduit and valve structure of novel form indicated generally at 48. This combined conduit and valve structure 48 is provided with a cold uid inlet passageway 49, vand a balanced double disc valve member 50 past which the cold 85 fluid ows into a valve chamber 51, one'side of which is formed by a iiexible diaphragm 52, and

thence through an elbow-shaped passageway 53 into a tube 54. Tube 54 is supported by strucber 46 and extends transversely substantially the width of said mixing chamber, being provided adjacent its 'inner end wall with a plurality of vperipheral outlets 55 through which the iiow of the cold fluid is directed into the stream' of the 95 hot fluid. The hot fluid is in turn supplied from any suitable source to a valve 56 and thence, through a suitable opening 57 in the closed end wall of casing 47, to mixing chamber 46. Mounted in opening 5'7, and secured in any suitable manner to casing 47, is an outer tube or shield member 58 which almost entirely surrounds tube 54 and forms therewith the equivalent of a mixing nozzle such as that disclosed in Fig. 1. The lower portion f outer tube or shield zmember 58 is cut 105 aw'ay on a plane angularly disposed to'the horizontal, as indicated in the broken lines in Fig. 3,

so as to provide an yopeningthrough which the turbulently mixed uids'may be directed angularly downward into mixing chamber 46. facilitate mixing and to insure higher velocity of the mixed fluid directlylover the bulb 61, there is provided, preferably formed integral with casing Y"i7, a suitably shaped baille plate 59, the general shape of which is best shown in' Fig. 3 in broken 115 lines. The discharge opening 60 from mixing chamber 46 may be located at any suitable point, preferably at .the top, of the periphery f of casing 47.

Hot iluid valve 56 is opened and closed by the 120 action of a suitable thermostat including a bulb 61 and an expansible and contractible member housed in casing 62 and connected to the bulb 61 by a tube 63, in a manner similar to that described in connection with the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2. Likewise, cold fluid valve 50 is operated by the differential of pressure between the hot uid on the supply side of valve 56, which pressure is conducted through va suitable tube 64,

passageway 65 in easing 47, and tube elbow 66 130 (Fig. 5) to a chamber 67 between the top o! diaphragm 52 and diaphragm cover plate or cap 68, and the iluid in valve chamber 51 plus the force of a spring 69 .which is exerted against valve 50 in a direction tending to close the same, neglecting the very small force tending to open the valve due to the uid pressure in passageway 49, less the uid pressure in-chamber 51 acting on the As stated above, the control of hot fluid valve 56 by thermostat 61, and of cold uid valve 50 by the diierential of pressure exertedv on diaphragm 52, and the automatic compensation of this basic control for Vvariations in the pressure-and rate of flowv conditions of the fluids suppliedjto the mixing chamber, are based upon the same principles and 4operate in the same manner as previously described in connection' with the embodin1entoi!Figs.1and2.'v

There is thus provided by the present invention 150 To 11o a novel method and apparatus for controlling the mixing of a plurality of uids in such a manner as to produce a mixture the temperature of which will remain substantially constant, within narrow limits, at a predetermined figure regard; less of variations in the initial temperatures and pressures, or the rate of iiow of the mixed fluid which is supplied by the mixer. `Accurate and dependable operation is assured by the use of only a single thermostat which controls one of the inlet valves, the other inlet valve being in'turn controlled by variations in the pressure of the fluid controlled by the thermostatically operated valve, of the iuid mixture, or both. 'Ihe novel method and apparatus herein disclosed also provide for automatic compensation of the valve positions, as determinedby the basic thermostatic control, in .response to variations in the supply pressures and rates of ilow of the iiuids vbeing mixed. Furthermore, in order that the structure of the mixing device provided by the present invention may be as simple and compact as pos-.,

sible, ay novel form of mixing nozzle has also been provided which, by an abrupt change in lthe direction of flow of the iluids therethrough, produces a great turbulence and effects a rapid and thorough mixture of the uids within a relatively constricted space. An improved form of thermostat has also been devised which tends to eliminate the hunting action formerly experienc'ed with thermostatically operatedvalves heretofore known. All of these improvements have been embodied in a method and apparatus for the mixture of iiuids which are highly efilcient and dependable in practical operation, and capable of results not hitherto obtainable.

It will be obvious that the invention is not limited to the apparatus shown in the drawings, but is capable of a variety of mechanical embodiments. For example, any suitable type of thermostatically operated valve mechanism may be employed for controlling the movementsA of the hot uid valve, and other forms of pressure responsive means may be substituted for the specific type of diaphragm described and illustrated in connection with the cold iluid valve. Also, it is obvious that the differential pressure operated valve can be used on the hot fluid supply line and an inverted thermostatic valve on the cold fluid line without deviating from the inventive concept. Moreover, although the description has referred to a water mixer in which -hot and cold water are the two fluids to be mixed, it is evident that the method and apparatus are equally well 'adapted for use with other fluids, such as air or steam, as well as water. Furthermore, some of the various features described may be used separately or in combination with other features within the scope of the invention.`

Various other changes, which will now appear to those skilled in the art, may be made in the fom, details of construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention, and reference is therefore to be had to the appended claims for a denition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimedis: Y

l. In al device for mixing uids, a mixing`chamber having an inlet for each of two -fluids to be mixed, a uid supply conduit 4'connected to -each of said inlets, means for controlling the flow of the iluid in one of said conduits in accordance with variations in the temperature of the mixture of uids in said chamber, and means for controlling the flow of the uid in the other of said conduits in accordance with variations in the diierence between the pressure of the iluid in said rst named conduit and the pressure of the mixture of the fluids in said chamber.

2. In a device for mixing fluids, a mixing chamber having an inlet for each of two iiuids to be mixed, a fluid supply conduit connected to each of said inlets, means for'controlling the flow of the fluid in one of said conduits in accordance with variations in the temperature of the mixture of fluids in said chamber, and means for contr lling the flow of the iluid in the other of said conduits in accordance with variations in the pressure of the mixture o uidsin said chamber.

3. Ina device for mixing fluids, a mixing chamber having an inlet for each of two uids to be mixed. a fluid supply conduit connected to each of said inlets, means for controlling the flow of the uid in one of said conduits in accordance with variations in the temperature of the mixture of fluids in said chamber, and means for controlling the flow of the fluid in the other of said conduits in accordance with variations in the difierence between the pressure ofy the fluid in said rst named conduit and the pressure of the mixture of the fluids in said chamber, said rast named 100 .means including means for maintaining the pressure of the iluid in' said second named conduit lower than the pressure of the uid in said rst named conduit.

4. In a device for mixing iluids, a mixing chamber having ari-inlet for each of two iiuids to be mixed, a uid supply conduit connected to each of said inlets, means for controlling the flow or the fluid in one of said conduits in accordance with variations in the temperature ofthe mixno ture of fluids in said chamber, and means for controlling the flowv of the fluid in the other of said conduits in accordance with variations in the pressure of the mixture of iiuids in said chamber, said last named means including means for maintaining the pressure of the iuidA in said second named conduit. lower than the pressure of the uid in said first named conduit.

5. In a device for mixing uids, a mixing chamber having an inlet for each of two fluids to be mixed, a fluid supply conduit connected to each of said inlets, means responsive to variations in the temperature of the mixture of iiuids in said chamber for controlling the now of the fluid in one of said conduits only, and means responsive'125 to variations in the difference between the pressure of the fluid in saidflrst named conduit and the pressure of the mixture of uids in said chamber for controlling the now of the uid in the A other of said conduits. *30

6. In a device for mixing fluids, a mixing chamber/'having an inlet for each of two fluids to lbe mixed, a fluid supply conduit connected to each of said inlets, -means'responsive to variations in W the temperature of the mixture of fluids in said 100 chamber for controlling the flow of the uid in one of said conduits only, and means responsive to variations in the pressure of the mixture of iuids in said chamber for controlling the ilow of the fluid in the other of said conduits. 149

7. In a,device for mixing fluids, a mixing chamber'having` an inlet for each of two fluids to be mixed, a fluid supply conduit connected to each of said inlets, a valve-in each of said conduits, each of said valves being operable independently of the other, means responsive to variations in the temperature of the mixture of iuids in said chamber for controlling the position of one of said valves, and means responsive to variations in the diierence between the pressure ci the fluid in the conduit on the supply side of said rst named valve and the pressure of the mixture oi.' iiuids in said chamber for controlling the position of the other of said valves. .Y

8. In a device for mixing uids, a mixing chamber having an inlet for each of two uids to be mixed, a uid supply conduit connected to each of said in1ets,.a valve in each of said conduits,

each of said valves being operable independently of` the other, a thermostat subject to thetemperature of the mixture of uids in said chamber and operatively connected to one of said valves for controlling the' position thereof, and means responsivel to variations in the pressure of the mixture of fluids in said chamber for controlling the position of the other of said valves.

9. The method of controlling the mixture of two uids of diierent temperatures in a mixing chamber so yas to maintain the mixture at a subtions in the temperature o the mixture rom the predetermined standard, and varying the flow of the other of said fluids in proportion to variations in the Iluid pressure of said mixture.

11. A method o1 controlling the mixture of two uid in proportion to variations in the pressure and rate of ow of the other of said fluids.

12. In a device for mixing iluids of the type having a mixing chamber and a thermostatically controlled valve for controlling the flow of fluid stantially constant predetermined temperature\thereto, temperature responsive means for actucomprising varying the flow of one of said uids to said mixing chamber in proportion to variations in the temperature of the mixture from the predetermined standard, and varying the'ow of the other of said Iluids in proportion to variations in the difference between the fluid pressure of the rst named uid and the fluid pressure oi said mixture.

10. The method o1' controlling the mixture of two fluids of different temperatures in a mixing chamber so as to maintain the mixture at a substantially constant predetermined temperature comprising varying the ow o1' =one of saiduids to said chamber in proportion to variaating said valve including a pressure responsive expansible and contractible member operatively connected to said valve, a bulb containing a supply of liquid of low boiling point and so located as to be exposed to the temperature of the uid in said mixing chamber, and conduit means connecting the interior of said bulb with said pressure responsive member, said conduit means being so connected to said bulb that only the vapor of said low boiling liquid may enter said conduit.

LLoYD'L. DAvIEs. JULES v. RESEK. WILLIAM W. CARSON, Jn. 

